Welcome Sophomore Parents/Guardians! May 17, 2007 Southwest High School

This Evening’s Agenda LCAD Presentation: Environmental Scan Project / Parent Tips. The Journey for Sophomores. PLAN test information. PSAT/NMSQT: College Entrance Tests. The Next Steps: Planning for the Junior Year.

PRESENTATION Lincoln Council on Alcoholism & Drugs ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN Tara Nettifee & Olivia Herr

The Journey for Sophomores. 9 th grade: Marked the transition to high school- focusing on academic and social skill development. 10 th grade: Focuses on career exploration, progress toward graduation and future academic planning. Career Education is required for high school graduation. Teachers and counselors provide information and experiences for students.

In Career Education, students research post high school opportunities. Students will hear speakers from 2 and 4 year colleges and universities and other career areas. Career Cruising and Library/Internet resources are also used to help students make decisions about their futures.

Using the PLAN Test to chart your course.

World-of-Work Map

Where is your student headed? TO THE NEXT LEVEL - POST SECONDARY PLANNING. Students are assigned to counselors, who assist them with planning for high school graduation, college admissions research and applications and career and scholarship searches. A – G: Kelley Winter H – P: Noelle Baker Q – Z: Joyce Lehn

PSAT/NMSQT Saturday, October 20, 2007 Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test(PSAT). National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT. The Reasoning Test contains Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing Skills sections. Juniors that take the PSAT are eligible for National Merit Scholarship consideration.

Additional PSAT Information The PSAT will be given on Saturday, October 20, Students will receive information at the junior meeting in September. Information will also be available on the LSW web site. Registration will occur at Southwest. The 2006 test fee was $18.00 and could be subject to change in More information and practice questions are available at

Junior Timeline Summer: Begin collecting information on select and Ivy League colleges/ universities. 1 st Semester August 8 – PM - Junior Locker Check out. August 21 – First Day for Students in grades September 20 – Fall Junior Student Meeting. September 26 - Parent Meeting after P/T conferences. October 20 – PSAT. October 21 – Lincoln Area College Fair. Mid-November – Registration for 12 th Grade. December 11 - College Financial Aid Meeting.

Junior Timeline 2 nd Semester February 12 - ASVAB February 13 – Spring Junior Meeting Spring – –College Prep Workshops –College Visits to UNL, Wesleyan, SCC –College Admissions Tests – ACT, SAT, AP Exams All Year – College and Military Representative Visits to LSW

STUDENT SCHEDULES  Schedules were distributed today. Please review them carefully. May 29th is the deadline to request schedule changes.  Schedules will be checked by counselors before final copies are distributed to students.  Schedule changes will be made only if the schedule is incomplete or there is a placement error.  Counselors are not officially on duty during the summer, although we will respond to questions (1 per student).  Our office will be staffed on Wednesdays in June. The center will be closed in July.

THE NEXT STEPS Read the Counseling Center Summer Newsletter. It contains important information for the school year. Check the Guidance website throughout the year for updated information. Mark important dates in your planner or personal calendar.

Grade 11 Counselors A – G: Kelley Winter: H – P: Noelle Baker: Q – Z: Joyce Lehn:

THANK YOU for your time and commitment to your student!